Commissioning of Upgrades to T6 to Study Giant Planet Entry

Article

Steer, Joseph, Collen, Peter, Glenn, Alex, Hambidge, Christopher, Doherty, Luke J, McGilvray, Matthew, Sopek, Tamara, Loehle, Stefan and Walpot, Louis. 2024. "Commissioning of Upgrades to T6 to Study Giant Planet Entry." Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets. 61 (6). https://doi.org/10.2514/1.A35893
Article Title

Commissioning of Upgrades to T6 to Study Giant Planet Entry

ERA Journal ID3580
Article CategoryArticle
AuthorsSteer, Joseph, Collen, Peter, Glenn, Alex, Hambidge, Christopher, Doherty, Luke J, McGilvray, Matthew, Sopek, Tamara, Loehle, Stefan and Walpot, Louis
Journal TitleJournal of Spacecraft and Rockets
Journal Citation61 (6)
Number of Pages18
Year2024
PublisherAmerican Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
Place of PublicationUnited States
ISSN0022-4650
1533-6794
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.2514/1.A35893
Web Address (URL)https://arc.aiaa.org/doi/abs/10.2514/1.A35893
Abstract

The Ice Giants, Uranus and Neptune, represent a largely unexplored, interstitial class of planetary objects that fit between the Gas Giants and the smaller terrestrial worlds, such as Earth, in terms of both size and elemental composition and are a missing link in our understanding of extrasolar planetary evolution. The scientific potential of a mission to the Ice Giants is well recognised and has been identified by NASA and ESA as a high priority on several occasions, most recently in the 2023 - 2032 Decadal Survey. The payload capacity of such a spacecraft is limited by the heat shield thickness, which must be sized conservatively
due to a lack of reliable data for convective and radiative heat flux along the proposed entry trajectories. Major upgrades to the Oxford T6 Stalker Tunnel have been commissioned that allow study of Giant Planet entry trajectories including a flammable gas handling system, a
Mach 10 expansion nozzle, and a steel shock tube with optical access. Initial testing has been completed in shock tube and expansion tunnel modes with peak shock speeds of 18.9 km/s
achieved with many options available to further increase performance. Convective heat flux and surface pressure were measured at several locations on a 45 °sphere cone model in expansion tunnel mode. Measurements of the radiating shock layer were made in shock tube mode to assess the effect of CH4 concentration. The magnitude of spectral radiance is strongly affected by the concentration of CH4 in the test gas. Spectral fitting with the NEQAIR program shows
that radiation in the 410 - 560 nm range is dominated by C2 and CH and has allowed the spatial evolution of mode temperatures and species concentrations to be extracted. This work establishes the first high enthalpy Giant Planet entry test bed in Europe.

KeywordsHeat Flux; Radiative Heating Environment; Giant Planet; Aerothermochemistry; Shock Tube; Expansion Tunnel; Exploration of Neptune; Neptune Aerocapture; Hypersonic Aerodynamics; Planetary Entry Probe
Contains Sensitive ContentDoes not contain sensitive content
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020400103. Aircraft performance and flight control systems
Public Notes

The accessible file is the accepted version of the paper. Please refer to the URL for the published version.

Byline AffiliationsUniversity of Oxford, United Kingdom
University of Southern Queensland
Institute of Space Systems, Germany
European Space Agency and Technology Centre, Netherlands
Permalink -

https://research.usq.edu.au/item/z7698/commissioning-of-upgrades-to-t6-to-study-giant-planet-entry

Log in to edit

Download files

Accepted Version
Steer_et_al_2024_Commissioning_of_upgrades.pdf
File access level: Anyone

  • 53
    total views
  • 3
    total downloads
  • 1
    views this month
  • 0
    downloads this month

Export as

Related outputs

Spectral properties of ablating meteorite samples for improved meteoroid composition diagnostics
Matlovic, Pavol, Pisarcíková, Adriana, Pazderová, Veronika, Loehle, Stefan, Toth, Juraj, Ferriere, Ludovic, Cermák, Peter, Leiser, David, Vaubaillon, Jérémie and Ravichandran, Ranjith. 2024. "Spectral properties of ablating meteorite samples for improved meteoroid composition diagnostics." Astronomy and Astrophysics: a European journal. 689. https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/202450913
Radiative Heat Transfer Measurements of Titan Atmospheric Entry in a Shock Tube
Sopek, Tamara, Glenn, Alex, Clarke, Justin, di Mare, Luca, Collen, Peter and McGilvray, Matthew. 2024. "Radiative Heat Transfer Measurements of Titan Atmospheric Entry in a Shock Tube." Journal of Thermophysics and Heat Transfer. https://doi.org/10.2514/1.T6918
Effect of non-equilibrium thermochemistry on Pitot pressure measurements in shock tunnels (or: Is 0.92 really the magic number?)
Sopek, Tamara, Jacobs, Peter, Subiah, Suria-Devi, Collen, Peter and McGilvray, Matthew. 2024. "Effect of non-equilibrium thermochemistry on Pitot pressure measurements in shock tunnels (or: Is 0.92 really the magic number?)." Acta Astronautica. 223, pp. 249-261. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actaastro.2024.07.008
Emission spectroscopy at high frame rates during ablation tests of meteorite samples in plasma wind tunnel
Ravichandran, R., Loehle, S., Hufgard, F., Leiser, D., Zander, F., Ferriere, L., Vaubaillon, J., Matlovic, P. and Toth, J.. 2024. "Emission spectroscopy at high frame rates during ablation tests of meteorite samples in plasma wind tunnel." Icarus. 407. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.icarus.2023.115818
A 2022 τ-Herculid meteor cluster from an airborne experiment: automated detection, characterization, and consequences for meteoroids
Vaubaillon, J., Loir, C., Ciocan, C., Kandeepan, M., Millet, M., Cassagne, A., Lacassagne, L., Da Fonseca, P., Zander, F., Buttsworth, D., Loehle, S., Toth, J., Gray, S., Moingeon, A. and Rambaux, N.. 2023. "A 2022 τ-Herculid meteor cluster from an airborne experiment: automated detection, characterization, and consequences for meteoroids ." Astronomy and Astrophysics: a European journal. 670. https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/202244993
Experimental Simulation of Gas Giant Entry in the PWK1 Arcjet Facility including CH4
Loehle, S., Meindl, A., Poloni, E., Steer, J., Sopek, T., McGilvray, M. and Walpot, L.. 2022. "Experimental Simulation of Gas Giant Entry in the PWK1 Arcjet Facility including CH4." AIAA SciTech Forum 2022. San Diego, United States 03 - 07 Jan 2022 United States. https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2022-0264
Experimental Simulation of a Galileo Sub-Scale Model at Ice Giant Entry Conditions in the T6 Free-Piston Driven Wind Tunnel
Steer, Joseph, Collen, Peter, Glenn, Alex, Sopek, Tamara, Hambidge, Christopher, Doherty, Luke, McGilvray, Matthew, Loehle, Stefan and Walpot, Louis. 2022. "Experimental Simulation of a Galileo Sub-Scale Model at Ice Giant Entry Conditions in the T6 Free-Piston Driven Wind Tunnel." 9th International Workshop on Radiation of High Temperature Gases for Space Missions (RHTG-9 2022). Azores, Portugal
Emission spectroscopy of low density air shock tube flows above 10 km/s
Hermann, Tobias, Collen, Peter, Glenn, Alex, Sopek, Tamara, McGilvray, Matthew and di Mare, Luca. 2022. "Emission spectroscopy of low density air shock tube flows above 10 km/s." 9th International Workshop on Radiation of High Temperature Gases for Space Missions (RHTG-9 2022). Azores, Portugal Azores, Portugal.
Assessment of high enthalpy flow conditions for re-entry aerothermodynamics in the plasma wind tunnel facilities at IRS
Loehle, Stefan, Zander, Fabian, Eberhart, Martin, Hermann, Tobias, Meindl, Arne, Massuti-Ballester, Bartomeu, Leiser, David, Hufgard, Fabian, Pagan, Adam S., Herdrich, Georg and Fasoulas, Stefanos. 2022. "Assessment of high enthalpy flow conditions for re-entry aerothermodynamics in the plasma wind tunnel facilities at IRS." CEAS Space Journal. 14 (2), pp. 395-406. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12567-021-00396-y
Interview with UNSW for the 2020 International Women in Engineering Day
Sopek, Tamara. 2020. Interview with UNSW for the 2020 International Women in Engineering Day.
Development and commissioning of the T6 Stalker Tunnel
Collen, Peter, Doherty, Luke J., Subiah, Suria D., Sopek, Tamara, Jahn, Ingo, Gildfind, David, Geraets, Rowland Penty, Gollan, Rowan, Hambidge, Christopher, Morgan, Richard and McGilvray, Matthew. 2021. "Development and commissioning of the T6 Stalker Tunnel." Experiments in Fluids: experimental methods and their applications to fluid flow. 62, pp. 1-24. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00348-021-03298-1
Thermal compression effects within a fundamental, hydrogen-fuelled scramjet
Vanyai, Tristan, Brieschenk, Stefan, Bricalli, Mathew, Sopek, Tamara and McIntyre, Timothy J.. 2021. "Thermal compression effects within a fundamental, hydrogen-fuelled scramjet." Aerospace Science and Technology. 110, pp. 1-16. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ast.2021.106499
Nitrogen driver for low-enthalpy testing in free-piston-driven shock tunnels
Chan, W. Y. K., Whitside, R. W., Smart, M. K., Gildfind, D. E., Jacobs, P. A. and Sopek, T.. 2021. "Nitrogen driver for low-enthalpy testing in free-piston-driven shock tunnels." Shock Waves: an international journal on shock waves, detonations and explosions. 31, pp. 541-550. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00193-021-01002-0
Single-Shot Temperature Measurements in a Scramjet Combustor Using Thermally Assisted Laser-Induced Fluorescence
Sopek, Tamara, Brieschenk, Stefan, Vanyai, Tristan, Morgan, Richard G. and McIntyre, Timothy J.. 2020. "Single-Shot Temperature Measurements in a Scramjet Combustor Using Thermally Assisted Laser-Induced Fluorescence." AIAA Journal: devoted to aerospace research and development. 58 (8), pp. 3486-3498. https://doi.org/10.2514/1.J058985
Iron Contamination in High-Enthalpy Test Facilities: OH PLIF Imaging Considerations
Sopek, Tamara, Brieschenk, Stefan, Vanyai, Tristan, Morgan, Richard G. and McIntyre, Timothy J.. 2020. "Iron Contamination in High-Enthalpy Test Facilities: OH PLIF Imaging Considerations." Journal of Propulsion and Power: devoted to aerospace propulsion and power. 36 (1), pp. 129-137. https://doi.org/10.2514/1.B37676
High frame rate emission spectroscopy for ablation tests in plasma wind tunnel
Ravichandran, Ranjith, Leiser, David, Zander, Fabian, Loehle, Stefan, Matlovic, Pavol, Toth, Juraj and Ferriere, Ludovic. 2021. "High frame rate emission spectroscopy for ablation tests in plasma wind tunnel." Review of Scientific Instruments. 92 (3), pp. 1-6. https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0040801
Analysis of Reentry and Break-Up Forces from Impulse Facility Experiments and Numerical Rebuilding
Leiser, David, Loehle, Stefan, Zander, Fabian, Buttsworth, David R., Choudhury, Rishabh and Fasoulas, Stefanos. 2022. "Analysis of Reentry and Break-Up Forces from Impulse Facility Experiments and Numerical Rebuilding." Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets. 59 (4), pp. 1276-1288. https://doi.org/10.2514/1.A35204
Spallation on Carbon Ablators
Grigat, Felix, Loehle, Stefan, Zander, Fabian and Fasoulas, Stefanos. 2022. "Spallation on Carbon Ablators." AIAA Journal: devoted to aerospace research and development. 60 (7), pp. 3936- 3949. https://doi.org/10.2514/1.J061276
Computational flow modelling of the T4 free-piston driven reflected shock tunnel
Sopek, Tamara, Zander, Fabian, Chan, Wilson Y.K. and Jacobs, Peter A.. 2022. "Computational flow modelling of the T4 free-piston driven reflected shock tunnel." 23rd Australasian Fluid Mechanics Conference (AFMC2022). Sydney, Australia 04 - 08 Dec 2022 Australia. University of Sydney.
Microwave technique for liquid water detection in icing applications
Leis, John, Buttsworth, David, Saeed, Ramiz, Saleh, Khalid, McGilvray, Matthew and Gillespie, David. 2019. "Microwave technique for liquid water detection in icing applications." 2019 International Conference on Icing of Aircraft, Engines, and Structures. Minneapolis, United States 17 - 21 Jun 2019 United States. https://doi.org/10.4271/2019-01-1930
Fast-Response transient heat flux measurements in a plasma wind tunnel
Birch, Byrenn, Buttsworth, David, Loehle, Stefan and Hufgard, Fabian. 2021. "Fast-Response transient heat flux measurements in a plasma wind tunnel." International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer. 173. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijheatmasstransfer.2021.121234
Extension of the plasma radiation database PARADE for the analysis of meteor spectra
Loehle, Stefan, Eberhart, Martin, Zander, Fabian, Meindl, Arne, Rudawska, Regina, Koschny, Detlef, Zender, Joe, Dantowitz, Ron and Jenniskens, Peter. 2021. "Extension of the plasma radiation database PARADE for the analysis of meteor spectra." Meteoritics and Planetary Science. 56 (2), pp. 352-361. https://doi.org/10.1111/maps.13622
An Experimental and Numerical Investigation into the Aerodynamics of the ISS Re-entry
Zander, F., Leiser, D., Choudhury, R., Loehle, S. and Buttsworth, D.R.. 2018. "An Experimental and Numerical Investigation into the Aerodynamics of the ISS Re-entry." Lau, T.C.W. and Kelso, R.M. (ed.) 21st Australasian Fluid Mechanics Conference (AFMC 2018). Adelaide, Australia 10 - 13 Dec 2018 Australia. Australasian Fluid Mechanics Society.
Temperature and heat flux measurement on hot models in short-duration facilities
Kraetzig, Benjamin, Buttsworth, David R., Zander, Fabian and Loehle, Stefan. 2014. "Temperature and heat flux measurement on hot models in short-duration facilities." Journal of Thermophysics and Heat Transfer. 29 (1), pp. 37-46. https://doi.org/10.2514/1.T4309
An Experimental Investigation of a Thermal Compression Scramjet with OH Imaging
Vanyai, Tristan, Bricalli, Mathew, Sopek, Tamara, Brieschenk, Stefan and McIntyre, Timothy J.. 2015. "An Experimental Investigation of a Thermal Compression Scramjet with OH Imaging." 20th AIAA International Space Planes and Hypersonic Systems and Technologies Conference (AIAA 2015). Glasgow, Scotland 06 - 09 Jul 2015 Reston, United States. https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2015-3610
Code Development to Determine the Temperature from the OH* Chemiluminescence Recordings in a Supersonic Combusting Flow
Sopek, Tamara, Brieschenk, Stefan, Lorrain, Philippe, McIntyre, Timothy J. and Boyce, Russell R.. 2014. "Code Development to Determine the Temperature from the OH* Chemiluminescence Recordings in a Supersonic Combusting Flow." 45th AIAA Plasmadynamics and Lasers Conference (2014). Atlanta, United States 16 - 20 Jun 2014 United States. https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2014-2243
Natural and Induced Transition on a 7deg Half-Cone at Mach 6
Masutti, Davide, Pinna, Fabio, Erkan, Gunaydinoglu, Sopek, Tamara and Chazot, Olivier. 2012. "Natural and Induced Transition on a 7deg Half-Cone at Mach 6." RTO-MP-AVT-200 Hypersonic Laminar-Turbulent Transition. San Diego, United States 16 - 19 Apr 2012 United States.
Impulse facilities for the simulation of hypersonic radiating flows
Morgan, R. G., McIntyre, T. J., Buttsworth, D. R., Jacobs, P. A., Potter, D. F., Brandis, A. M., Gollan, R. J., Jacobs, C. M., Capra, B. R., McGilvray, M. and Eichmann, T. N.. 2008. "Impulse facilities for the simulation of hypersonic radiating flows ." 38th AIAA Fluid Dynamics Conference and Exhibit (AIAA 2008). Seattle, United States 23 - 26 Jun 2008 Reston, VA. United States.
Expansion tunnel radiation experiments to support Hayabusa re-entry observations
Buttsworth, David, D'Souza, Mary, Potter, Daniel, Eichmann, Troy, Mudford, Neil, McGilvray, Matthew, McIntyre, Timothy J., Jacobs, Peter and Morgan, Richard. 2010. "Expansion tunnel radiation experiments to support Hayabusa re-entry observations." 48th AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting Including the New Horizons Forum and Aerospace Exposition (AIAA 2010). Orlando, United States 04 - 07 Jan 2010 Reston, VA, United States.
Impulse facility simulation of hypervelocity radiating flows
Morgan, R. G., McIntyre, T. J., Jacobs, P. A., Buttsworth, D. R., Macrossan, M. N., Gollan, R. J., Capra, B. R., Brandis, A. M., Potter, D., Eichmann, T., Jacobs, C. M., McGilvray, M., van Diem, D. and Scott, M. P.. 2006. "Impulse facility simulation of hypervelocity radiating flows." 2nd International Workshop on Radiation of High Temperature Gases in Atmospheric Entry. Rome, Italy 06 - 08 Sep 2006 Noordwijk, Netherlands.